Class 9th Eng.(Beehive) Ch-10 KATHMANDU , Questions and answers Theme Message Summary

Ch-10

 KATHMANDU Vikram Seth

         

Summary Of The Chapter

'Kathmandu' is an extract from Vikram Seth's famous travelogue From Heaven Lake which describes his journey from China to India via Tibet and Nepal. The extract describes his time spent in Nepal visiting two temples - the Pashupatinath and the Baudhnath Stupa.

Author's Visit to Pashupatinath Temple

The author sets out with his companions to visit the Pashupatinath Temple. There he observes that in the temple, the entry of non-Hindus is banned. He notices some westerners trying to seek entry into the temple; people jostling with each other to get the attention of the priest and a royal princess entering the temple. Priests, devotees, hawkers, dogs, pigeons, monkeys, tourists-all roam through the ground and make the atmosphere more confusing and noisy.

Then, he sees a cremation taking place on the banks of Bagmati River where some women are washing clothes and children are taking bath. The river is getting polluted as

wilted flowers, leaves and old offerings are thrown into it. A small shrine extends from the river. It is believed that when the whole shrine comes out, the goddess inside will escape and the period of Kaliyug will end.

His Visit to Bandhnath Stupa

In contrast to the noisy atmosphere in the Hindu temple, there is peace and serenity at the Baudhnath stupa. Through there are many shops of Tibetan migrants around the stupa selling various trinkets, there is no crowd in the stupa. The place is a haven of quietness amidst the busyness of the street.

The Flute Player

The author finds the streets of Kathmandu narrow, busy, noisy, and radios, traffic car horns, bicycle bells, cows-all adding to the din. Although he wants to stay for a longer Period in Nepal, exhaustion and homesickness prompt him to buy an air ticket to Delhi. Then he observes a flute seller in a corner of the square near the hotel, who draws the author's attention with his casual approach. The author feels mesmerised by the music of the flute.

He starts thinking of the different kinds of flutes and their uniqueness as well as their commonality. Flute is a part of almost every culture though there may be variation in the form and kind of music produced. The music of the flute leaves an indelible imprint on the author's mind. He says that the music of the flute is closest in its phrases and sentences to the human voice.

Questions and answers 

Q1.Name the two temples the author visited in Kathmandu.

Ans. The author visited the Pashupatinath temple and the Baudhnath Stupa in Kathmandu

Q2. The writer says, "All this I wash down with Coca Cola." What does 'all this' refer to? 

Ans. All this' refers to a bar of marzipan and a roasted corn-on-the-cob eaten by the writer.

Q3. What does Vikram Seth compare to the quills of a porcupine?

Ans. Vikram Seth compares the quills of a porcupine to the flute seller's flutes.

Q4. Name five kinds of flute.

Ans. The five kinds of flutes are: the reed neh, the recorder, the Japanese shakuhachi, the Hindustani bansuri, and the Chinese flute.

Q5. What difference does the author note between the flute seller and the other hawkers?

Ans. The flute seller does not shout out his wares like the other hawkers. He plays one of his bansuris for a few minutes. He plays it slowly and meditatively with much display. Its sound attracts the people. Thus, he makes a sale sometimes.

Q6. What is the belief at Pashupatinath about the end of Kaliyug?

Ans. A small shrine is situated on the bank of the river Bagmati. It half protrudes from water. It is believed that when the shrine emerges fully, the goddess inside will come out. And then the evil period of the Kaliyug will end.

Q7.Discuss the appropriateness of the title of the chapter "Kathmandu".

Ans. The title "Kathmandu" seems to be appropriate as the chapter is all about Kathmandu. The narrative is a part of the journey that the author undertakes. Although the author chooses to describe mainly two temples, the Pashupatinath Temple and Baudhnath Stupa, it includes the general observation about life in Kathmandu. So, the title is apt.

Q8. Discuss the theme on which the chapter is based.

Ans. The brief extract from Vikram Seth's travelogue 'From Heaven Lake, gives a description of Kathmandu especially the famous Pashupatinath Temple sacred to the Hindus, and the Baudhnath Stupa, a holy place for the Buddhists. He focuses on the description of the atmosphere of these places on the basis of noise and religiosity of the place. He uses the description to comment on the difference in the ways of worship is different cultures. He also discusses the hypnotic music emanating from flute.

Q9 What message can be drawn from the chapter titled 'Kathmandu'?

Ans. Although the chapter is just a narration of the experiences of the author in Kathmandu without any evident message, still it has a deep meaning. The author criticises the noise and confusion that are part of religious life everywhere. He also comments on how people pollute rivers by washing clothes on their banks, cremating corpses and dumping offerings in them. It conveys the message that the purity of the holy places must be maintained.

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